Support for bullet traps

• US 8,276,916 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2007
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Action Target Incorporated (Action Target Holding Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Action Target Incorporated (Action Target Holding Corp.)
• Inventors: Bateman, Kyle, Marshall, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/781,187
• Publication Number:
  US 20120104699A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,901 Days
• Field of Search: 273/403, 273/404, 273/407, 273/408, 273/410
• US Class Current: 273/410
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 11/0053 Stud welding, i.e. resistive with an arc B23K9/20
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/18 Sheet panels
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/506 bolted or riveted
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 13/00 Bullet catchers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49629 Panel
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49892 Joining plate edge perpendicularly to frame
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49948 Multipart cooperating fastener [e.g., bolt and nut]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49966 with supplemental joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/50 Bridged by diverse connector
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/551 Externally bridged

Abstract

A bullet trap is disclosed which is formed without intervening sidewalls to enable cross-shooting and the like with reduced risk or ricochet or damage to the bullet trap. Furthermore, the bullet trap can be configured in a variety of ways to eliminate the need for facing plates while providing a removable attachment mechanism, to enable repair on the trap, to reduce bullet adhesion to the trap and to provide improved containment of lead and improved access to the trap.

Claims

1. A method for supporting a bullet trap comprising:

selecting a beam having a first end suspended above the ground and the second end extending downward so as to substantially rest on the ground, wherein at least a portion of the beam is curved such that the beam has a first portion disposed at a first angle and a second portion disposed at a second angle; and

suspending a plurality of metallic plates therefrom to form bullet channeling surfaces.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises suspending a bullet containment chamber from the beam.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the beam forms a portion of the bullet containment chamber.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the beam is modular and wherein at least a portion of the beam is formed from a pair of C-beams.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising disposing a foot between the pair of C-beams.

6. The method according to claim 4, further comprising disposing a hanger between the C-beams.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises using a beam which is an I-beam.

8. A support system for bullet traps comprising:

a bullet trap, the bullet trap comprising a bullet containment chamber formed from a plurality of steel impact plates and having an inlet, an outlet, and a generally round side cross section, and further comprising an inlet channel having an upper channel plate and a lower channel plate and being configured for directing bullets into the inlet of the bullet containment chamber; and

a support beam having a first section which extends forwardly from the bullet containment chamber so as to extend above the upper channel plate, a second, bent middle section, and a third section which extends downwardly from the back of the bullet containment chamber and towards the ground so as to form a support leg for supporting the bullet containment chamber.

9. The support system of claim 8, wherein the upper channel plate is attached to the first section of the support beam.

10. The support system of claim 9, wherein the upper channel plate is suspended from the first section of the support beam by hangers.

11. The support system of claim 8, wherein the bent middle section of the support beam has a shape corresponding to the adjacent section of the bullet containment chamber.

12. The support system of claim 11, wherein at least one of the plurality of steel impact plates is attached to the support beam.

13. The support system of claim 8, wherein the support beam is an I-beam.

14. A bullet containment system comprising:

a one-piece beam having a first end suspended above the ground and the second end extending downwardly toward the ground, the one-piece beam being bent so as to have a first portion and a second portion disposed at an angle relative to the first portion;

a bullet containment chamber attached to and suspended from the one-piece beam; and

wherein the first portion extends outwardly over the bullet containment chamber and the second portion extends downwardly from the bullet containment chamber.

15. The bullet containment system of claim 14, wherein the one-piece beam has an arcuate portion between the first portion and the second portion.

16. The bullet containment system of claim 14, wherein the second portion extends under a portion of the bullet containment chamber such that a portion of the bullet containment chamber rests on the one-piece beam.

17. The bullet containment system of claim 14, wherein the one-piece beam comprises a flange and wherein the bullet containment chamber is formed by a plurality of metallic plates, at least one of the plurality of metallic plates being attached to the flange.

18. The bullet containment system of claim 17, wherein the at least one of the plurality of metallic plates is bolted to the flange.

19. The bullet containment system of claim 17, further comprising a cam, and wherein the cam presses the at least one of the plurality of metallic plates against the flange.

20. The bullet containment system of claim 14, wherein the one-piece beam is an I-beam.